Roberto Mancini overseeing Italy’s September 2026 training (figc.it)
Italy paired Moise Kean with Francesco Pio Esposito in training for the Nations League, while Belgium miss injured Leandro Trossard but may field Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne.
The match kicks off at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on Friday, 19:45 UK time (20:45 CEST).
It opens the Nations League campaign for the Azzurri, who share the group with France and Montella’s Turkey.
Mancini also sits without suspended Alessandro Bastoni, expelled in the Bosnia‑Herzegovina playoff, and without Federico Dimarco and Bryan Cristante, both sidelined by injury.
The likely back‑four favors Giovanni Di Lorenzo over Michael Kayode, and Diego Coppola will cover if Giorgio Scalvini isn’t fully fit.
Only the attack remains unsettled; Inter’s Pio Esposito is set to start, but his strike partners are still unknown.
Nicolò Zaniolo battles Nicolò Cambiaghi for the right side, and Kean’s confidence grew after today’s session.
Other options include Daniel Maldini and Giacomo Raspadori.
Belgium debut a new boss, former Milan midfielder Mark van Bommel.
They arrive in Italy without Leandro Trossard and keeper Mike Penders; the Besiktas winger limps with a bruised heel, yet hopes to be ready for the remaining internationals.
Thibaut Courtois, injured Andre Onana and Jeremy Doku are omitted, and Thomas Meunier plus Alexis Saelemaekers missed the call‑ups.
The squad features several Serie A regulars: Milan’s Diego Moreira, Koni De Winter, Bologna defender Arthur Theate, Parma’s Mandela Keita, Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere and Napoli star De Bruyne.
Lois Openda is on loan at Lyon from Juventus, while Romelu Lukaku recently swapped Napoli for Fenerbahçe.
Van Bommel hasn’t coached in two years, so his plan is a mystery; rumors suggest his 4‑2‑3‑1 could morph into a 4‑3‑4 after training. For my money, his untested tactics could surprise both sides.
De Ketelaere, used as a false 9 at the World Cup, may reprise that role given Lukaku’s fitness.
Moreira can operate on the right but has mainly played left for Belgium, facing stiff competition from PSG’s €45 m signing Mika Godts.
Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Coppola, Calafiori; Barella, Romano, Tonali; Zaniolo (Cambiaghi), P Esposito, Kean
Belgium (4-3-3): Lammens; Seys, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Tielemans, De Bruyne, Lavia; Lukebakio, Lukaku, Godts